US991511A - Circuit-breaker. - Google Patents

Description

E. JOHNSON. CIRCUIT BREAKER.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG, 21, 1907.

3 BHEETF-BHEET 1.

I Patented May 9,1911

WITNEEEEE Q ZZ bu ATTq.

B. JOHNSON. CIRCUIT BREAKER. APPLiOAcproN III-ED 00.21. 1907;

Patented May 9, 1911.

B. JOHNSON.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

APPLIOATION IILED AUG. 21, 1907. I 991,511. Patented May 9,1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

mun

D AUH;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN JOHNSON, SCH'ENEUIADY, NE'W' YORK, ASSIGNOR To GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, 1-1 CORPORATION OF NEW YURK.

CULT-BREAKER.

mutlmi of Letters Patent. 'lmtm'rtxzd Ma y 9, 1911. Appljoatmn filled Augimt. 21, 1307. Serial No, 389,42.

To (LIZ whom it may concern: operate it the circuit breaker is large while 56 lie it known that .1, 1 11mm QloHNHHN, =1 utter the handle is diaconneetefl it muFl; he citizen oi the United States, .tCF- lllllllltflltftl l l' llll some stationary support he- E chenectruly, twenty of Schism i'or it mm he "manipulated to reset the en- 6 of New York, her/e. inveiiitetl eer I l lll hrouhor.

useful improvements in C in carrying out my intention I' uso n 60 got which the. following is a spot-1hr 'l'm'r'co imiltiplying commotion between the This invention relates to electric h "muting handle and the switch members and more pzutienlarly to automatic swim-h I :izpying 2r minimum amount of notice mnl 10 or circuit; breaker),- (3f),ll.li')'lli"5l]l1' u phzi'anty rrzmglod to disconnect the opmmting handle of nien'ibers intmreoiinoetotl to eat i'n'mi theswitch members by the expenditure fi-fi ne'ously and operated by ingle ope of very slight amount o'f'power even in handle from whiohfthe switch mohair l h1g sizec. upon the occurrence of nhriormul 1 w. of in the mmtrollml virouil. .l :lli-o int? size of the roll whi l: iyji ll y on- -t:-, the momiile n'iemhm'n to make then: not 7 hy limiting the rori in the 'i'orm of a i ati'rong sateel core snrronmlml by of insulation wliirrh IJZ'LYUHLH onr- 'ing from one i'novnhle niernrer. l lll"l'tlfl;,1't! the lnlnh for hohl 75 unit l)l'(.fil{(ll" elosml so that the the latch are moved out oi onloose in of abnormal on 16 part of the cunts-oiled Ciii'lliil, izltho' features oi my invention are 1i,i} li.l '2..ljii: any type oi eleotr' s-nvitaln Tho ohjeet' of my invontioi'i circuit; breakers arranged. to t: 20 the handle with an imp ineohai'lisnl by meow oi. .x" can be exerted, m n a, eiirei ing a plurality of mo;

closed without untinc ,9: at eurh other by the relative the operator; to no r; of the hnmllo one] the movable rice for 4 n1 :i remit the mitonialie (leviee 8O tho ('i. -v in eirenit l', maker needs oniy tent; .o:3trc n;:jt to (it? hiimlie whereupon as tho "which the inn, elon i opens the hitch rlisen gugers breaker are I'iZ il 1H3 improved l 'ntive m the handle; and in. gw'ien'ii to imp eonstructifm of circuitrhrenlmra oi ill hoiliment' of my invei'ition and in which-- 36 Autonmticzrlly tripped switch-z; or on o i igg nro 1 is; u from View of :1 circuit hronkors have heretofore been built in which hronlzer (:om irisingg three SWltIEIl'J elements 90 the operating hunilie is: antoinaiiezzily tii :m'mhe Fig. 72 is a -li0n on the line connected from: the moi-1mi winter-t ii: is u, o1? l 1 showing the circuit inro olnei'" in the operator etto pts to etnw the (air-{En t is; elowwi position: Fig. 3 :1 section on the when conlilions my abnormal, but the opersome H'H. showing: the circuit h'renkor inithe ntinv mechanism p1. vionsly used l'PQIZUllHPFS upon position; and ig.4 :1 SI *tion on the 95 too iiulky and reigning; too much exortion Ht lilifl lino Showing the circuit lpvrenkor as it on the artof the oporutm' it applied to =1 is: heing clonml circuit: maker oomposmt of av plurality of The r'iroui iorealcer shown in the draw- !5 bridging POIltiurtu closed -sillmi'l'fi-lltfltifily. ings ennu -n" 'I switch elements mounted side The c'bnneotion between the, itch elements hj side, upon a switchboard l. of slate or 100 by means of which ail are operated sin'iultw marble or other suitable material. The neously must he an ii'isulator and the size switch elements may be of any desired form of this connection as l'ihrotofore constructed and those shown in the drawings comprise increases very ruqiiill and l'ieco'mes very :1. fixed contact, consisting of a contact block in lky'and obwctionaii e in a circuit breaker 2 mil :1 shunt contact 3 firmly mounted on ,105 0 even-moderate size; the mechanisms for the switchboard '1,'cooperating with a movdisconnoctin r the handle are usrmlly some nhle element. or contact consisting of 'a conform of late requiring too moth power to h t-t brush 4 and shunt contact 5 mounted free.

ll host he nmlorfitrmd in :e nrzo mpzlny'ing drawings v in; all .:1' anti upon an arm 6 swinging upon a pivot 7 Se curely attached to the switchboard 1. The' movable contact is connected by neans of a flexible strip 8 to a stud9 passi g through the switchboard 1 and connected to one side of the circuit, so that when the switch element is closed the circuit is completed from the terminal 9 through the movable contact to the fixed contact. i

'E'ach movable element 'or contact is mounted on a' frame 10 held to the switchboard 1 by means of the pivot 7 and a pin 11. A pivot 12 is also mounted on the frame some distance from the pivot 7. The movable contact is actuated by any suitable force multiplying device which lSSl'lOWIl in the drawings as an actuating toggle comprising a link 13 pivoted to the movable contact and pivotally connected by means of a pin let to a link 15 mounted upon thepivot '12 and provided with an extension 16 which pro jects beyond the pivot; When. the actuating toggle 1s straightened the movable contact is brought. into engagement with the fixed contact and thecircuit is closed, in which position the actuating toggle is slightly underset. The movable contacts are operated simultaneously from a single operating handie because the actuating toggles of all are rigidly connected by a steel rod 1? surround ed by a sleeve 18 of insulation and passing through the extensions 16 of the links 15 of each toggle. The steel rod makes a light and rigid connection between the toggles, while the sleeve of insulation prevents a flow of current between the movable contacts.

7 i The force multiplying mechanism of the circuit breaker may be operated by any s'uitable operating member which is shown in the drawings in the form of an operating'handle consisting of a fork 19.xnou11ted on the pivot 12 and rovided with a handle 20. The op erating andle is connected to the force multiplying mechanism by-means of a normally positive collapsible connection which is shown 1n the form of a locking toggle consisting of a link 21 mounted on the pivot 14; and connected to links 22 mounted upon. a pin 23 carried by the fork 19. Each link 22 is provided *with a heel 24 engaging fork 19 to control the position of the locking toggle. The. purpose of the locking toggle is to form a con-- nection between the operating handle and the actuating mechahism which is normally ositive but which can be very easily. col: apsed, and in order to-secure this result the lockin toggle is very slightly overset when exten ed to form a rigid connection between the operating handle and the actuating toggle. v

The circuit breaker is held in closed position'by means of a latch 25 provided with heels 26 to regulate the position thereof and mounted u on a pin 27 carried by the operating hand This latch cooperates'with an i a trip 30 mounted upon a rock shaft 31 car- "overload' c'oil the corresponding core is lifted, and actuatesthe 'trip'BO, collapsing the con-" 1 the-switch and opening all t 25 swings about t :c pivot 12 as a center, the a.

latch 25 and the pin 28 can on age when the circuit breaker is. close as they describe arcs of circles which are leccen "in with relation to each other. When the oil. cuit breakeris closed, therefore, the operating handle is connected to the movable con-- tacts by a normally positive collapsibleconnection comprising the actuating toggle and.- the lockin 'toggle' and is also connected to the movable contacts by the latchin mechanism. The operating handle and t e mov' able element 6 mounted on pivots 12 and extend in opposite directions from said )lV- ots and as long as the locking toggle is rigid those points on the handle and the movable element connected by the toggle must move atthe sauna rate. No other point on the opcrating handle moves at the same rate. as any point on the movable element, and therefore any movement of the. handleon element .will cause a relative movement between the latch 25 and the pin 28 The book on the latch 25 normally engages the pin 28 and prevents movement of the handle 20 in a direction to open the circuit breaker, which is locked closed as long as the locking tog 1e is rigid. If the collapsible connection is roken the movable contact is free to move toward the operating handle and inso moving the pin 28 describes anarc of a circle which carries it out of engagement and away frornthe hook on the end of the latch-25, whereuponthe operating handle is released; The only power, therefore, aired to open the circuit breaker is that necessary to break the col* llapsible connection between the operating handle and the movable contacts, by breaking the locking toggle 21, 22', to permit. the underset actuating toggle to break and the movable contact to separate fromthe fixed cont-act. The lockin toggle 21; 22 may be broken 1n any suitab emanner, but the mechanism which I prefer for this purpose comprises ried by the arm 6 and actuated by arms 32, one at each end of the shaft 31. The ends of these arms are in a position to be engaged by trip fingers 33 carried upon a pivoted trip yoke which may be actuated by hand by pressing uppn-the'buttons 34 or automatically by pro ections 35 carried-uponthe mov .able cores of the overload coils 37. When an abno'rmal. current. flows through either handle and nections between-the actuatinlg ef' circuits or.

branches simultaneously.

' The operation of the device.is as'followsrgso;

too

when the breaker is closed the parts are in ing toggle are normally rigidly connected,

the position shown in Fig. 2, and firmly.

locked, since as long as the collapsible connection between the operating handle and the movable contact is rigid the movement of the operating handle about its pivot 12 would give theJatch 25 a movement in a different direction and at a diflerent rate of speed than that given the pin 28 as the arm 6 swlngs about the pivot 7, and the only possible movement of the operating arm is toward the movablecontact, which movement is permitted by the shape of the'hook ion the end of the'latch 25. If it is desired to open the breaker, the normally positive connection between the operating handle and the movable contact is collapsed by bringing the trip 30 into engagement with the link 21 of the locking. toggle and thereby moving the locking toggle over center. The locking toggle thereupon collapsesanitl permits the actuating toggle to collapse, as'shown in Fig.3. As a result the movable contact is free to move outof engagement with the fixed contact and this movement is not resisted by" the latching n'ieans, because when the latch remains stationary and the arm.

6 swingsabout its pivot 7 the pin 28 moves away from and out of engagement with the hook on the end ofthe latch, thereby rcleasing the operating handle. To close the circuit breaker, the operating handle is drawn into position as shown in Fig. 4 to straighten out the locking toggle, which thereupon becomes slightly oversetand forms a rigid connection between the operating handle and the link 15 of the actuating toggle. As theoperating handle is pushed to close the lII'flICl'l'li. breaker as shown in Fig. 2, the actuat.- g toggles of all the movable. contacts are straightened. since they are rigidly'connected through the rod 'l'l', and the breaker is closed.

My invention may becarried out in many other ways than that shown and described,

and I therefore do not desire to be limited to the exact form disclosed, but intend to cover by the appended claims all changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of m invention.

l. atI' claim as new and desire tosecurc by Letters Patent of the United States, is 1. An electric switch comprising a base,

' coiiperating' contacts mounted on said base r for relative movement, a support projecting from said base an operating member movably mounted on said support, a two link actuating togglewith one link pivoted to said support and theotherlink to one of said contacts to bring said contacts into engagement when straightened, a pin for pivotally connecting saidlinks, a-tvvo-link normally positive toggle with one end connected to said member and theother end to said pin where-- bysaid operating member and said actuatand latching means for said operatingmemher.

cal base, cooperating contacts mounted on 2. An electric switch comprising a vertie said base for rclativemovement, a. horizontal support projecting from said base, an op crating member pivoted on said support,-'a two-link actuating toggle having one llnk pivoted to said support and the other linlt to one of said contacts to bring said toggle,

substantially horizontal when said toggle is straightened, a pin for pivotally connecting said. links, a tripping toggle connected to,

saidpin and to said operating member at a point eccentric to the pivot thereof, and a latch coiipcratingwith said operating memher to normally hold the switch closed.

Anclcctric switch comprising a base,.a fixed contact on said. base, a ciiitiper'ating movable contact pivoted to said base to swing in a planev perpendicular to said base,

a support projecting at right angles-to said base, an operating member pivoted on said straightened and means tor-collapsing said tripping toggle.

4. An electric switch comprising a base, a .lixcd contact on said base, a. cooperating IHOVl'tlJlfl contact pivoted to said base below said fixed contacts, a pivot mounted paraL .lel to said base and in fixed. relation thereto,

an operating handle mounted on said pivot, latching means for normally rest-raining saidoperatlng handle, an actuating" toggle having one link mounted on said pivot and another link connected to said movable contact, a pin for pivotally connecting said links, and a tripping toggle between said handle and said pin whereby said actuating toggle is straightened.

In an electric switch, the combination w 1th a support for a fixed contact, and a cooperating,movable contact pivoted to said support, of an operating handle pivoted to the supporharl actuating toggle having one link pivoted to the supportand-the other linkto the movable contact, a normally positive collapsible connection between the handle and the actuating toggle, a lug on the movable contact, a latch on the handle to engage said lug when the contacts are in engagement, tripping'means mounted on said movable contact to collapse said. toggle when actuated, and automatic means for actuating said tripping means. i

(i. In an electric switch, the combination with a movable switch member, of an operfor collapsing said connection, and latchin means for connecting said members, .sa'

fixed contact, an operating andle mounted p on one of said pivots to 006 rate with said two pivots, of a mova le contact mounted .with a support carrying a fixed contact and 'tion between the operating handle and the ating member eccentrically mounted with re latlon thereto, a normally .positive collapsible connection between said members, means latching means being disengaged by the relative movement .of said members due to the collapse of 'said connection.

7. In an electric switch, the combination with a'movable switch member, of an actuatingmember eccentrically mounted with re lation thereto, a collapsible force multiplying connect-ion between said members actuatidito closthe switch'by movement of said members toward' each other, latchingmeans operative when the switch is closed to prevent separation of said members, said latching means being unlatched'by movement of said'members toward" each other, and tripping means for collapsing said con nection to permit said members to move toward each other. I

8. In an electric switchythe combination with a support carryin a fixed contact and on one of said pivots to e06 erate with said on the other pivot, a normally positive collapsible connectionbetween the operating handle and the movable contact, means for collapsing said connection, and-means for latching the operating handleto said contact when thecontacts in engagement.

9. In an electric switch, the combination two pivots, of a movable contact mounted .fixed contact, a'n'operating andle-mounted on the other pivot, a normally positive collapsible connection between the operating handle and the vmovable contact, means for collapsing said connection, a latch mounted on said handle, and alug on said movable contact cooperating with said latch to connect the handle and movable contact when the contacts are in engagement.

10. In an electric switch, the combination of a support carrying a fixed contact and a coiiperating movable contact pivoted to said support, an operating handle pivoted to said support eccentrically to said movable 'contact, a normallv positive collapsible connecmovable contact, means for collapsing said connection, and latching means for connect,- ing said handle to said movable contact to l prevent movement of the handle away from the movable contact, said latching means being released by movement of said contact toward the handle. L y

11. In an electric-switch, the combination with a frame carrying a .fixed contact, of a cooperating movable contact pivoted to said 12. In an electric switch, the pombination with a movable'switch element, of an operating handle eccentrically mounted withJelation to said element, a normally positive collapsible connection between said handle and said element, means for ollapsing said connection, and latching means for connecting said handle.to' said element t o prevent Emovement of the handle and element 'away from eachothe fg: id latching unlatched bFnmviiieht of said handle an element toward each other.

13. In fan electricswitch, the combination 5- with-a pivoted switchelemenQ-of a pivoted means bein o rating handle for, said element, said ham .8

d e andsaidelement extending in opposite directions from their respective pivots, a

normally positive collapsible connection,

which normally loclis the handle to said element, and when cells sed permits] said element to move independbntly of said handle, and latching means for connecting the handle and element to hold the handle and element in other.

14. In an electric switch, the combination with-a pivoted switch element, of a pivoted 0 rating handle for said element, sa1d'han-' d e and said element extending in opposite directiofls from their respective pivotsya collapsible connection between the predetermined relation to each 7 and said element, trip means on said contact 7 .for collapsing said connection, and latching means for connecting the handle andelement to hold the handle and element in predeterminedvrelat ion to each other. v In witness whereofQI have hereunto'set my hand this 20th day of Au st 1907. EDWIN OHNSON. Witnesses: HELEN Onrolin, MAY Wnn'mx'nn.

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